LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON

Fathers and sons have a unique connection, and it is mesmerising to see their neartelepathic instinct on the polo field.

While Adolfo Cambiaso and his 17-year-old son, Poroto (Adolfo Cambiaso Jr) were the first father-son combination to play in the Triple Crown this century – winning the Argentine Open with La Dolfina in 2022 – polo has also seen other notable father-and-son successes in the past.

Another legendary polo family, the Harriotts, made their mark on the sport with Juan Carlos Harriott and his son Juancarlitos playing in Palermo together, winning the Argentine Open seven times between 1957 and 1964.

A particularly special year for fatherson duos at Palermo was 1958, with the Harriotts winning the Open title alongside another father-and-son pair, Antonio and Horacio Heguy, as part of the famed Colonel Suárez-Los Indios team.

Later, Horacio played alongside his twin sons Horacito and Gonzalo for Chapaleufú in 1983. In 1984, in the Tortugas Open, his son Marcos also joined the team. In 1985, the line-up of Chapaleufú II included Alberto Pedro and both of his eldest sons, Eduardo and Alberto.

Also in 1983, Colonel Suárez won Palermo with Horacio and 17-year-old Benjamin Araya playing together in the team. At the time, Benjamin was the youngest Argentine Open Champion in history, with his record only recently taken by Poroto Cambiaso in 2022.

The last father-son duo to play in Palermo before the Cambiasos was that of Gonzalo and Gonzalito Pieres in 1999. Still playing today, Gonzalito was just 16 years old when he made his debut in the Open in 1999, playing alongside his father, a pioneer in polo and founder of La Espadaña and Ellerstina.

With a wealth of super-talented young players emerging at the top level of the sport armed with skills, natural ability and horsepower inherited from past generations – as well as the fearlessness and exuberance of youth – we are sure to observe the magic of many more father-and-son pairings in polo in the future.